Updated NZQCF and Rules
Last year NZQA consulted on changes to the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF) and NZQA Rules. The responses informed the final changes, which have now been approved.
These changes come into effect on 1 July 2025.
New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework
You can find the updated NZQCF booklet, which includes the new visual, level descriptors, and updated qualification-type descriptions on our website:
About the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework
Although the updated elements come into effect on 1 July, we are allowing a six-month transition period. This means any qualification or programmes currently under development using the old level descriptors can still be approved under the old descriptors up until the end of the year. For any new development, we recommend using the updated descriptors.
NZQA rules
We have updated five rule sets. These are:
- Micro-credential Approval and Accreditation Rules
- Private Training Establishment Registration Rules
- Programme Approval, Recognition and Accreditation Rules
- Qualification and Micro-credential Listing and Operational Rules
- Student Fee Protection Rules You can find the updated rules, which come into effect on 1 July 2025.
The ‘explanatory note’ at the end of each rule set summarises what has changed.
Keep an eye out for NZQCF information sessions and updated guidance we will be providing over the coming months.
If you have any questions about what the changes mean, please contact us at rules@nzqa.govt.nz.
Update on iQAF development
Since consulting on the high-level design of the Integrated Quality Assurance Framework (iQAF), we have been focusing on how the framework will work in practice.
Detailed design work is well advanced across several key components of the iQAF including:
- System risk scan
- TEO self-review
- Risk-informed approvals and monitoring.
We are holding a series of meetings with stakeholders on the implementation of the iQAF. A range of providers are trialling the self-review template and processes. We are also working with agencies and standard-setting bodies to understand the implications of iQAF on their practice and operations.
We intend to consult on the key proposed activities and relevant rule changes later in 2025.
Consultation on changes to fees
In addition, we are consulting on a simplified, more equitable approach to charging fees for quality assurance services.
The first round of consultation seeks your views on the fees model:
Consultation on a simpler, fairer fee system for Tertiary Education Organisations
Subject to consultation feedback, we will undertake a detailed analysis to establish the fee structure to be introduced in 2026.
On this page
Submitting applications to NZQA for delivery in 2026
To help with your planning and processes for internal quality assurance, below are the cut-off dates for submitting applications for programmes of study you want to deliver in 2026.
Degrees
You can submit degree applications to NZQA at any time. Informing your Approvals and Accreditations (A&A) contact 3 months before submitting the application will help us meet your timelines.
If you want new degree approvals, accreditations or Type 2 changes to existing degrees ready for Semester One 2026, please submit the application before 1 July 2025.
Level 7 Diplomas
Talk to your A&A contact for guidance before developing a new, or revising an existing Level 7 Diploma.
Programmes of study at levels 1 to 6
You can submit applications at any time.
If you want to be ready for Semester One 2026, please submit your application before 4 October 2025 for:
- new approvals or accreditations for programmes of study at levels 1 to 6
- Type 2 changes to existing level 1 to 6 programmes.
Call or email your A&A contact if you need more information.
National Qualification Services reviews and deferments
Pacific Studies and Niue Arts and Crafts reviews
National Qualifications Services (NQS) will begin reviewing these unit standards from July 2025:
Domain - Pacific Change and Development (external link)
Domain - Pacific Indigenous Knowledge (external link)
Domain - Pacific Societies (external link)
Domain - Niue Tradition and Culture (external link)
Domain - Niue Arts (external link)
Domain - Niue Crafts (external link)
Domain - Niue Music (external link)
For further information about the above reviews, contact the NQS team: nqs@nzqa.govt.nz.
Financial Capability – proposal to defer planned 2025 review
NQS is proposing to defer and rollover the review of Financial Capability unit standards and the New Zealand Certificate(s) in Personal Financial Capability [2248 and 2249] until 2027.
To respond to this proposal, contact the NQS team (nqs@nzqa.govt.nz) by 30 June 2025.
Legal Studies – proposal to defer planned 2025 review
NQS is proposing to defer and rollover the review of six Legal Studies unit standards scheduled for review in 2025 until 2027, when the larger suite of 18 unit standards is scheduled for review.
- 32360 - Evaluate key concepts of New Zealand’s legal system from pre-European practices to current practices
- 8545 - Describe factors contributing to, and consequences of, crime
- 8551 - Describe the application of New Zealand law to personal relationships
- 8552 - Describe legal and non-legal consequences and protections relating to family violence and child abuse
- 8555 - Describe the objectives and evaluate the application of consumer law
- 10337 - Describe the legal rights and personal responsibilities of secondary school students
To respond to this proposal, please contact the NQS team (nqs@nzqa.govt.nz) by 30 June 2025.
Planned 2025 review deferred for core generic work and study skills – unit standards 26622-26627
NQS has deferred the planned 2025 review of unit standards 26622 to 26627 until December 2027.
This aligns with the NCEA Literacy and Numeracy Co-requisite transition period (2024-27).
- 26622 - Write to communicate ideas for a purpose and audience
- 26623 - Use number to solve problems
- 26624 - Read texts with understanding
- 26625 - Actively participate in spoken interactions
- 26626 - Interpret statistical information for a purpose
- 26627 – Use measurements to solve problems.
For more information on the restricted use of these standards and the co-requisite requirements, see:
Share your experience: understanding qualifications from the Pacific when enrolling students
Does your organisation enrol international students from the Pacific region? We are keen to hear about your organisation’s experience of assessing qualifications to make admission decisions for enrolling students from the Pacific to study in New Zealand.
NZQA is currently supporting the Pacific Qualifications Recognition Project, working with the Pacific Community and government agencies of nine Pacific countries across the Pacific region.
Pacific Qualifications Recognition Project (external link)
We are aiming to improve recognition of Pacific qualifications, including in New Zealand, by making it easier to understand information about qualifications from the Pacific region, and also how they compare to levels on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework.
To help us in our work, we are keen to understand the experiences of New Zealand education providers in assessing the prior learning and qualifications of graduates from Pacific countries when making admission decisions.
To pass on your experience, or if you would like to know more about our work in the Pacific, contact the team at pqr.project@nzqa.govt.nz.
NZQA processes
TEO issue of certificates for qualifications and micro-credentials
Specifications for the format of certificates for qualifications and micro-credentials can be found at:
Issuing New Zealand qualification and micro-credential achievement certificates
If you need copies of the NZQCF logos referred to in the specifications, contact our Client Services team at qaadmin@nzqa.govt.nz.
Lapse of programme or micro-credential accreditation
If a programme or micro-credential has not been delivered by a TEO for 12 months or more, the TEO’s accreditation will lapse.
You can apply for an extension to programme or micro-credential accreditation before the date of any lapse by emailing qaadmin@nzqa.govt.nz.
Keep your PTE current
If you only have accreditation for one programme or approved micro-credential, and it is not delivered for 12 months or more, your organisation’s registration will lapse.
To avoid this, you can apply for an extension of time. Apply for this extension before the 12 months of non-usage ends by emailing qaadmin@nzqa.govt.nz.
For more information about PTE registration see:
Reminders
Unfunded international providers data submission
PTEs that enrol international students need to submit their international student enrolment and provider data to the Ministry of Education. This data is used to calculate payments for the Export Education Levy. PTEs make the payments three times a year.
If you are an unfunded PTE enrolling international students, visit the Ministry’s website for more information:
Unfunded International Providers (UIP) Data Collection Portal (external link)
Student Fee Protection arrangements
We recommend that you regularly review your student fee protection arrangements to make sure they still fit your needs and the requirements in the Student Fee Protection Rules.
Things to check include:
- Are your courses (still) exempt (i.e. under $500)?
- Have you got approval for the mechanism you are using?
- Do you want to change your mechanism?
- Do you want to change your trustee?
If you want to change your arrangement, read through our student fee protection pages:
Student fee protection information for PTEs, and email us at risk@nzqa.govt.nz to discuss further.
Coming up this quarter
| Send NZQA your... | Who? | By when? |
| All registered PTEs and wānanga | 30 June 2025 | |
|
Different forms for PTEs and TEIs |
TEOs with a financial year-end of 31 March 2025 | 31 August 2025 |
| Independent Assurance Practitioner's Review Report or Auditor's Report | PTEs with a financial year-end of 31 March 2025 | 31 August 2025 |
| Audit of Student Fee protection arrangements | PTEs with a financial year-end of 31 March 2025 Find out who is exempt |
31 August 2025 |
|
Quarterly student fee protection attestation Quarter ending 31 August 2025 |
Providers not exempt: - static trusts - bank bond trusts Not required for standard trusts |
To trustee by 5 September 2025 To NZQA by 12 September 2025 |
|
Fit and Proper Person and Conflict of Interest declarations Submit a new or amended declaration: - before any new governing member starts - if an existing governing member has a new or changed conflict of interest - if an existing governing member has a change in their fit and proper person status See Section 10 of the Education and Training Act 2020 (external link) for the definition of governing member |
PTEs only: - applying for registration - registered PTEs |
As needed |
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Forwarding information and queries
Forward the above documents and any queries to qaadmin@nzqa.govt.nz.